QSR1853/1/5/18

Depositions Thomas Kiteley, the elder, labourer of Leighton Buzzard, Thomas Kiteley, the younger, labourer of Linslade and Jane Samuels, widow of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of Jesse Sharp accused of stealing 3 half pecks of potatoes.

29 November 1852

From: 1852 To: 1853

Thomas Kiteley the younger: lived in Chelsea in the parish of Linslade and worked for his father, Thomas Kiteley the elder, who was a market gardener in Leighton Buzzard. He knew the prisoner well. On 20 November he was in his father’s garden when he saw footmarks leading to the potato pits, which were open. As he knew nobody had business there, he traced the footmarks and saw a man and boy who appeared to be going away from the pits. He followed them and found the prisoner to be the man. Kiteley told him the potato pit had been broken open but the man said he had seen nothing but some chaps had been about. The boy then advised Kiteley the prisoner had been selling some potatoes to his mother and so Kitely went to see them. He went to Mrs Samuels at Leighton Buzzard. She showed him some potatoes she had bought from Jesse Sharp. He told Mrs Samuels they were his father’s potatoes. Jane Samuels: a widow of Linslade. On 20 November the prisoner came to her house with some potatoes which he asked her to buy. She purchased them for 8 pence. Kiteley came to the house and accused the prisoner of stealing them. The following week, the prisoners mother came to her and took the potatoes away with her.Statement of the accused: his mother took the potatoes to Mr Kiteley who said he would "give it up" and have nothing to do with it.

item

Sharp, Jesse,
Kiteley, Thomas,
Samuels, Jane

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, LINSLADE, market gardener, potatoes, stealing